>> Thursday, December 17, 2009

Avatar a film about which reflects how selfish our human desires can take us, such as destroying a peace loving race. Overall I find the film's aesthetics beautiful with its lush greenery and very life like plants and creatures. The story line had a moral attachment to the film as in many Koreans movies which shares confucian values such as love and peace. The story developed its characters really fast throughout the film, such as the time span it took Jake (the main character) to fully master his avatar as well as completing his passage rites as a Navi hunter and gaining the trust of the natives. The visual effects in this film made me feel as if I wished I was in such a beautiful planet with floating mountains and its lush greenery. The Navi characters seem to have a connection with their planet itself, it is as if the planet is one living organism as it able to connect with the planet's creatures and Navi race utilizing a connector most creatures in the film seem to have. This connection is what bonds or connects the Navi with these creatures to be able to ride or fly the animals, it also enables the Navi to connect to the planet and to bring back pass memories of long dead ancestors. Tha Navi race reminded me a bit of the African races in the way they dress, their customs and weapons. But the term "Avatar" was borrowed from the Hindu religion of a deity or god in human form. The sound effects had a very big impact in the movie from big loud booms to a lively music score, the sound and music played a big part in developing Jake's character through the 3 months he spent with the Navi people. The battle scenes could have been a bit longer but nonetheless an epic battle. The film ended with a happy ending, hence most "Hollywood Narrative Structure" do follow these rules. Although unlike other independent films like Maangamizi directed by Martin Mhando, which teaches us about African religion and culture, at least this films do teach us about what's going on in James Cameron's fantasy mind. I would really recommend this film to anyone to watch, by the way I didn't watch this in a 3D cinema. If you have any experience watching this in a 3D cinema feel free to tell me if it's worth it, I might go to video ezy and borrow one with 3D glasses when it comes out in DVD =). Ratings: Storyline - 8/10 Cinematography - 10/10 Sound - 9/10 Visual Effects - 9/10 Overall-9/10 (This is not an average) RaphRaph =) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>> Thursday, November 19, 2009

Clicks performed by the 12 girls band, a chinese band consisted of 13 females, one added after the confirmation of the name "12". They use traditional instruments to play popular tunes. They even did a cover to Bond's Victory haha. anyway this makes me want to buy an Erhu. Since the Erhu's 2 strings are the same intonations as the violin and I play violin. Hopefully it isnt too hard to pickup haha

>> Wednesday, October 7, 2009

>> Friday, October 2, 2009

I am in a constant Dilemma......whether I should finish uni or whether I should just go out to start making film. Knowing that you do not need a degree to get into the film industry. No employer would ask for my piece of paper if I have a pretty decent showreel. Universities were only established as a mean of exchanging knowledge, and the means to study about something. However you can study about something but doing it out there in the real world is a whole different thing. Should I finish uni with a 15000 dollar debt or should I just go out and start making film starting from the ground up. Its 3 years to a degree and after that many media graduates start competing for the rather limited to no jobs placements here in Perth.

Film and Concept Art is what I love doing but it is worth a whole 3 years and 15k debt? Or would I be better off getting that piece of paper just so in case to impress my parents, friends, and maybe future in laws. Being Asian getting the piece of paper is standard procedure and a common flow in life. What if I break it? Its the acceptance dilemma that I am left with. I am praying hard to find out what directions suits me best and if its inline with HIS directions or not.

I know I can do a lot and I have lots to learn too with my skills..........Is studying film theory essential to be a good filmmakers. I know film graduates who end up working in retail stores and doing project work.............is this really worth it or Should I just go out there and start shooting.........because in the end it is me who makes the difference no the piece of paper..........I dont want the piece of paper to define me but I want to define myself by what I do...I want to be better than all the filmmakers that I have met and match myself with the top people because I want to be like them. Right now in uni no one has the passion drive for the arts of film......every student I have met just says that they will work for some company after they finish....having no future plan.

I just want to find people in my league and higher.....I don't want to be with the turkeys I want to be with the eagles. If you always mix with a turkey you cant fly....but with an eagle you can...

>> Sunday, September 6, 2009

After a hard nights work at 2am I felt very sleepy going to Church at about 7.30am for Projections. eyes wide open....O.o haha......

Oh yea about our Korean Dance team......unfortunately we did not make it into Search For A Star. Sue Anne and Jerry Tried very hard to bring us in but for unforeseen circumstances the answer was a no. Aww well Life goes on =p.

In every defeat, we can only grow stronger. This gave me an idea to setup a Korean Interest Club in Perth. I would shar emy plan with youse all once I have it haha.

>> Monday, August 31, 2009

Its close to Search For A Star, after finishing 2 auditions. So far only the musical one has got in, other than that I have got to organize a crew to shoot the Mid Autumn Festival and 2 weddings after that O.O All paid of coz. When God says he will overflow your barns and storehouses he really means it, its so much that i have to sub contract work out. On to of that I have my studies to balance out and helping my family to move our house on the 21st of September.

I just did a light test with Pei Ren today we managed to spell our Initials and the word LOL haha. We are funny people. Lets pray for more directions if setting up a talent agency or entertainment company would be really worth it however to sell Korean music and pop culture to Perth since Perth is so dull and I think it needs a little of spicing up.

>> Saturday, August 22, 2009

I AM sooooooooo hungry I am waiting until the 40 hours to pass oh my goodness I just hope I can get a bit more donations for the poor kids in Asia and Africa but heres something to enjoy a parody video of the 40 hour famine.

>> Saturday, August 8, 2009

I am back again you know hot you pay your tithes and continue to depend on God to give you a job? Except my case was a bit different, I really wanted to work in my field of expertise not in a restaurant or so since I find no other benefit as I have worked in several already.

As you continue to seek the Lord I find that his blessings just came overflowing, it good too. Today I just was tld if I wanted to videograph Mid Autumn Festival and it is paid too. The bad thing is that it is on the 19th of September which is when Search For A Star is on. Well I do plan to get my crew to shoot it and edit it so we all get a share and nobody is left out.

So far a lot of jobs came in from teaching the chiropractor how to do use microphones and editing software to photography for my friend to submit to a talent agency, to a wedding in September to a Mid Autumn Festival the week before.

>> Tuesday, July 21, 2009

>> Monday, July 13, 2009

Wow, after some time I got back to write again. Was busy being a photographer on a film set =p. The bad thing is I can post any of the awesome shots I took since it is like copyrighted by the producer, because I signed an agreement.

Anyways I have a script to be written for a new youtube short series. Hopefully this time it will work, and yes it will consist the 3 bogans. I really would want to reintroduce the 3 characters but this time we will use our real names.

I should have a few episodes by this next month done. Hope for the best guys. I should be buying my new HV30 rig soon. I have learned so much this holiday while being on set. I would like to Thank God for such an oportunity and experience learning also from a professional sound person Peter Mcintosh who has taught me a lot of stuff unrelated to sound and his 15,000 dollar sound kit.

>> Sunday, July 5, 2009

Some Actor from Twilight Jake Lloyd the kid from StarWarsEp1 he did it on purpose when he saw me coming with the camera lol

In the SUPANOVAanime convention it was not too bad this year, but I managed to save around $30 which includes an entry ticket, a supanova T shirt and some cheap sandwiches all by giving up half the time volunteering. Cool isn't it if you volunteer you save so much money ^^........it was nice that some of the volunteers managed to ESCORT the celebrity.........and I wasn't one of them =(

I will upload more if I have time haha meanwhile go check my facebook pics ^^

>> Sunday, June 21, 2009

Woo hoo Tafe is finally finished for me. It all happened one cold stressfull morning, when every class/crew member was rushing to set the sets up, getting runsheets photocopied, camera shots planned out. One funny thing that happened was the talent that was meant to come to our show as a guest dissappeared, and we were like O.O argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To cut the long story short we only managed to shoot 1 out of the 2 TV Multicam segments. We ran out of time for the 2nd second segment, and boy was I worried the whole class failed, and the director Megan Mills was crying that we have put so much effort into this and we did not even complete it. But the lecturer said You Won't Fail for this, I take Your word for this Howard.

Murdoch decided to send me a conditional offer letter to study, provided that I can prove that I have finished Tafe Certificate 4 by August the 3rd which is plenty of time. Since I know Tafe would take some time to process all this.

We had a Photoshoot in the small Studio with 3 red head kits and it turned out pretty well =)

God I put my trust in you wherever you lead me in your Strategic Moment in Time. You make all things beautiful in your time, and I will continue to believe in the wonderful plan you have for me and all I have to do is to do my best in my studies. Amen

>> Thursday, June 18, 2009

I will be uploading some pictures regarding the multicam shoot in Tafe the sets are spectacularly colourful. Oh yea Did I not mention that I will be working with a bunch of professionals to shoot a short film to be used as a demo piece to make a 6 episode series Australian Drama? Exciting ya.will update you guys with pictures hopefully tomorrow =)

>> Wednesday, June 17, 2009

For all you Korean Fans out there.................This song is none the less catchy, althought its Music video has got like no storyline to it. Give this a listen and tell me what you think? Other than the Oh Oh Oh part I would nt have a clue what he is singing about haha he may be saying something about me I dont know haha

>> Friday, June 12, 2009

Well, I am back again this time we are doing a Photoshoot in order to get ourselves into the acting agency, and yeap this ones pays for extras and actors =p. We used Tafe Studio since no one is using it and we finished class in there its awesome. Got to play with studio lights too below some pictures we took =) enjoy

The best picture of the afternoon - SUPERMAN!!!

Cute Jackson?

This one looks like a band poster, especially Neil dressing up as a hard rocker.

>> Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Today we painted sets for our upcoming tv program in Tafe. Lots of fun I got moved to another flat as my flower painting skills sucks haha. Lots of fun and colourful fun. I also found out from Ross that I passed the written "exam" Trusting good on such things can sometimes be hard but I did it anyway.

>> Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I know you people who are not tech savvy =p, wouldn't understand this but this is a pretty good camera which operates at low light. I might get it it resembles a Panasonic P2 but just a bit smaller. has XLR inputs and manual functions. It records directly into cheap SDHC cards and it is native Final Cut pro friendly, what more can I want =)

>> Thursday, June 4, 2009

It's now near the end of term with only about 2 more weeks to go before classes end and we depart ways.

We only have a few more assignments left, well for me of course since I tend to finish them earlier way before hand. My friends well they still havent finished some work yet _--" seriously I dont know how some of them passed last year O.o

oh ya and my house is for sale too .yep it is because we can't be bothered maintainig the pool, spa and the massive garden.....too much work so its bettere to sell it and buy another house with a lot of internal space especially for studio work =P

Oh ya a special picture to share with you guys. Kirstin and PamelaRead more...

I was out last night with Pei Ren and David Ho to get Bubbletea and then pop over to the airport to see Julia off. When we got to the airport at like close to 11pm we thought they might have gone since we didnt see anyone and that the meeting piint was meant to be at 10.30. All went well we saw themin the cafe upstaIrs, I started to take lots of pictures and write the farewell card for Julia.

It's sad but anyway if that's where God has called her to be I guess we have no say in that and all the Best Juls which means that I won't be able to send Barbie Doll home anymore after dance practices =( aww well.Read more...

>> Friday, May 29, 2009

Today we had a live studio band shoot to be recorded for our magazine segment, I am quite sleepy now but I will update you guys who do read my blog on the pictures right now photobucket isn't my best friend right now it stuff up like many times when I wana upload my pics -_-"

Yesterday which was thursday I had an exam and then straight to do work for Beheld day 3 was pretty boring but day 4 I actually did some running I was so happy =)

Oh yea this picture was when we were waiting for this actress to come along we had to accompany her

Hey I actually did much more work on day 3 and 4 I got to run around as a runner more often this time haha.

>> Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Okay today was really hectic, only getting 4 hours of sleep the day before wasn't catching on me. I actually slept on set today well atnight.

Normally as runner I am like 95% free to sit down and just talk to people, since I am always on standy. The only thing I did for the whole day was drive to collect call sheets and back. lol

I did learn a few things like what a Gobo is. Having Green Curry Chicken Rice for Dinner was fantastic! Thanks Julien

Anyways I shall sleep now since I really need some rest. I will keep any readers updated and upload the bulk of the pictures once I have finished this shoot, as of now I have lots of Assignments and stuff to catch up on.

>> Monday, May 25, 2009

Well....I just came back form shooting and edited a few good photos.Becoming a runner isn't fun but at least you get to go on set =)My first time on a set it was a lot of waiting and waiting as a runner, but when duty calls you have got to be quick. My first major assignment as a runner(not counting buying candy for the First Assistant Director) was to pick up signs from coast hire.

When I got to the place I didn't know that coast hire was actually Coates lol took me a while to find out haha.

The next thing I knew the signs wasn't small signs but rather massive chunks to slow down cars so that the sound won't get affected while filming. I could not fit the signs in at first and the 2 guys working there were rather lazy, I had to fix the signs in by myself until it fits after that they helped me load the remainder of the stuff inside.The set at the Havana Restaurant was pretty flashy and grand.I got lost 2 times today Thank God he lead me out of my lost path.

I had to buy Panadol at night for a certain someone according to the 3rd Assistant Director. At first I was like wah lao now its like pass 8 and in East Perth most shops would close le plus its a monday not a thursday or friday where they would open the longest. So as I ran to find a shop to get Panadol, I told God to help me in this situation or I will have to drive to some far place just to buy a set of Panadols. Lo and Behold there was an IGA haha and well everything worked out just fine.

>> Friday, May 15, 2009

How much fun we had shooting a live tafe band....and I got to be roving cam just like at church =)..I think training in church gave me an edge to be a roving cam (free hand camera operator) hehe picture below enjoy

>> Thursday, May 14, 2009

Well here's the deal in about two weeks we ahve an Exam.........so called "exam" right and we are told to yea go study this--> and we were in class like errr so what exactly do we need to study? The lecturer was not very clear in my opinion and passing this exam is at the lecturers discretion since Outcome Based Learning in Vocational training institutions like tafe are not precentage based. Its good in a sense if you know "clearly" what you need to study for or knowing that you can do the minimum and pass. But if its unclear in Outcome based learning then, you better becareful you can fail the whole course even if one criteria is missed in your assignment. By the way here are some cool pictures taken today

This is Neil

I shot this one through a window, hence it looks like its somehow photoshopped.

I caught Alex and Isabelle off guard in this one

This one looks like an Ad for a new film "Church Boys" hence the cross at the background =)

Nestor trying to be like all cool and stuff in Nandos

Off to Nandos Kids

I like this picture...........until that truck got behind themso I wasn't ablt to get a shot with the least depth of field =(

>> Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Want to be part of our TV show? write letter to us and we will send you a movie ticket you should write to us haha because we have no letter at the moment..........and if you do write to us you will definately get your reward =)

I didn't know that my camera had a lot of capabilities although it has a very slow digital "manual focus" aww well at least it worked haha.

Ok First things first...............we met at Fremantle for those who dont know its a well known port town in Suburbia Perth. Meeting Emmy and her Photography classmates was wonderful i suppose haha and Nelson too church buddy hehe.

There we go Nelson teaching Emmy hhow to use an SLR, I'd say Nelson would be pretty good in Photography once he gets his own SLR.............then he and I can team up shooting weddings

My pictures are more Galmorous in approach while Nelson' s is more cinematic or covers more of the background I would say our skills compliments each other =)